Melania My Wicked Twin 1: A Little Trouble in the Title
Melania My Wicked Twin 1: A Little Trouble in the Title Backstage
Melania My Wicked Twin 1 has a title that makes me look at my own photographs twice. What exactly is the wicked twin? I like that the pictures can leave the question open.
When I photograph someone, I’m always aware of the small gap between what I see through the camera and what you might see later. I know where I was standing and what I was trying to catch. You meet the photograph on its own, without me hovering beside you and explaining myself. Probably better for both of us. :)
With Melania, that thought feels especially fun. The title offers a little mischief, but it doesn’t need a literal answer. It might make you look for a second side of her, or wonder whether the camera is playing the trick instead. I’m not going to settle that argument for you. I’ve spent enough time behind a lens to know that explaining a picture can be a very effective way of taking the fun out of it.
There’s a difference between making a photograph feel sexy and spelling out exactly how someone ought to feel about it. I prefer to leave a little room for the person looking. That space is part of the pleasure for me as a photographer. I can make my choices, choose what to keep in the frame, and then let the picture have its own conversation with you.
Of course, a title like My Wicked Twin 1 does tempt me to start acting like a detective. Is there a clue I missed? Should I be checking the photographs for a suspiciously innocent face? At that point I should probably put the detective work aside and remember what I’m here for.
I’m here to photograph Melania, and to enjoy the playful question this set leaves behind. One Melania is quite enough to keep my attention. If the title makes you imagine another, I’ll let you decide which one is the wicked twin.
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